Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-23

forget. Before he had time to observe any
more they were up to them.
.What on earth is the matter Bessie?" she
said, with quick glance at her companion,
and speaking in low, full voice, with just
slight South African accent, that is taking
enough in a pretty woman. Whereupon
Bessie broke out with history of their ad-
venture, appealing to her companion for con
firmation at intervals.
Meanwhile her sister, jess, stood quite still
and silent, and it struck Capt Mel that her
face was the most singularly impassive one
he had ever seen Ii never changed, even
when her sister told how the ostrich rolled on
her and nearly killed her, or how they finally
subdued the zoe. Dear me, he thought to
himself, what a very remarkable woman
She can't have much heart" But just as he
thought it the girl looked up, and then he
saw where the expression lay. II was in
those remarkable eyes. Impassive as her face
was, the dark eyes were alight with life and a
sort of excitement that made them shine
gloriously The contrast between the shining
eyes and the impressive face beneath them
struck him as SO extraordinary as to be al
most uncanny; and, as a matter of fact, it
was doubtless both unusual and remarkable
"You have had a wonderful escape, but l
am sorry for the bird" she said at last.
"Why?" asked John.
Because we were great friends. l was the
only person who could manage him."
"Yes," put in Bessie, "the savage brute
would follow her about like dog. 1t was
just the oldest thing | ever saw. But, come
on, we must be getting home; its growing
dark. Mout" medicine)-addressin the
Kaffir in Zulu-"help Capt Mel on to his
horse. Be careful that the saddle does not
twist round; the girths may be loose"
Thus adjured, John, with the help of the
Zulu, clambered into his saddle, an example
that the lady quickly followed, and they once
more set off through the gathering darkness.
Presently he became aware that they were
passing up a drive bordered by tall blue gums,
and next minute the barking of a large dog
and the sudden appearance of lighted windows
told him that they had reached the house.
At the door-or, rather, opposite to it, for
there was a veranda in front-they stopped
and got off their horses. As they did so. out
of the house there came a shout of welcome,
and presently in the doorway, showing out
clear against the light, appeared a strik
ing and, in itb way, most pleasant figure.
Iie-for it was a man-was very tall or,
rather, he had been very tall Now he was
much bent with age and rheumatism His
long white hair hung low upon his neck, and
fell back from prominent brow. The top
Of the head was quite bald, like the tonsure of
a priest, and shone and glistened in the lamp
light, and round this oasis the thin white
locks fell down The face was shriveled like
the surface of a well kept apple and, like an
apple, rosy red. The features were aquilme
and well marked, the eyebrows still black
and very hushy, and beneath them shone a
pair of gray eyes, as keen and bright as
hawks. But for all its sharpness, there was
nothing unpleasant or fierce about the face.
On the contrary, it was pervaded by re-
markable air of good nature and shrewtlness,
For all the rest, the man was dressed iii rough
tweed clothes, tall riding boots, and held a
broad brimued Boer hunting hat in his
hand Such was the outer man of old SiIas
Croft, one of the most remarkable men in the
Transvaal, as John Mel first saw him
is that you, Capt. Niel9" roared out the
sientorian voice. THE natives said Won were
coming a welcome to you! ] am glad to
see you-very glad Why, what is the mat
ter with youi7 be went on as the Zulu Mouti
ran to help him off his horse.
Matter, slr. CroftF answered John;
"why, the matter is that your favorite os-
trich has nearly killed me and your niece
here and that | have killed your faYorite os-
tiicb"
Then followed explanations from Bessie,
during which he was helped off his horse and
INTO the house
1T serves me right" said the old man.
"To think of 1t now, just to think of it,
Wen, Bessie, my love, thank God that You
escaped-ay. and you, too. Capt, Mel Here,
YOU BOYS take the Scotch cart and couple
OF oxen. and 90 and fetch the brute home
We may as well have the feathers off him, at
any rate, before the aasvogels (vultures) tear
him to bits "
After he had washed himself and tended
his injuries with arnica and water, John man
aged to get into the principal sitting room,
where supper was waiting. 1t WAS a very
pleasant room, furnished in European style,
and was carpeted with mats made of spring
buck skins. In the corner was piano, and
by it bookcase, filed with the works of
standard authors, the property as John
rightly guessed, of BeSsie's sister, jess,
Supper went off pleasantly enough, and
after it was over the two girls sang and
played while the men smoked. And here a
fresh surprise awaited him, for after Bessie.
who had now apparently almost recovered
from her mauling, had played piece or two
Creditably enough, jess, vino so far had been
nearly SCENT, sat down to the piano. She did
not do this willingly, indeed, for it was not
until her patriarchal uncle had insisted in
his ringing, CHEEKY voice that she should
let Capt Mel hear how she could sing
that she consented. But at last she did
consent, and then, after letting her fin
gers stray somewhat aimlesslv along the
chords, she suddenly broke ont into such song
as John Mel had never heard before Her
voice, beautiful as it was, was not what is
known as a cultivated voice, and it was
German song, and therefore he did not I'M
derstand it, but there was no need of words
to translate its burden. Passion, deSpairiug
yet hoping through its despair, echoed i'll its
every line, and love-uncnding love-hovered
over the glorious notes-nay, descended upon
them like a spirit and made them his Up,
up rang her wild, sweet voice, thrilling his
nerves I'LL they answered to the music as an
4Eo!ian harp answers to the winds. On went
the song with divine sweep, like the sweep
of rushing plnions; higher, higher, yet higher
1t scared, lifting up the listeners heart far
above the world on the trembling wings of
sound-ay, even higher till the music hung
at heavens gate, and then it fell, swiftly as
an eagle falls, quivered and was dead
John gave gasp, and so strongly was he
moved, sank back in his chair feeling almost
faint with the revulSion of feeling that ensued
when the notes died away. He looked up
and caught Bessie watching him with an air
of curiosity and amusement. jess was still
leaning against the piano and gently touch
WIN Z
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